Method of lining furnaces and like vessels



June 28, 1966 D. M. CULLINAN 3,258,510

METHOD OF LINING FURNACES AND LIKE VESSELS Filed Oct. 7, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l iv f Inventor bwm M p Attorneys June 28, 1966 D. M. CULLINAN 3,258,510

METHOD OF LINING FURNACES AND LIKE VESSELS Filed Oct. 7, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Attorneys 3,258,510 METHOD OF LINING FURNACES AND LIKE VESSELS Douglas Major Cullinan, Olifantsfontein, Transvaal, Republic of South Africa, assignor to Cullinan Refractories Limited, Olifautsfontein, Transvaal Province, Republic of South Africa Filed Oct. 7, 1963, Ser. No. 314,399 Claims priority, application Republic of South Africa, Oct. 18, 1962, 62/ 4,370; Mar. 12, 1963, 63/ 1,023 2 Claims. (Cl. 26430) This invention relates to the assembly of blocks to form a lining, and in particular relates to the lining of vessels such as furnaces, with refractory material, the vessels being such that the blockscan be lowered into the vessels from above.

The lining of furnaces is usually time-consuming, and is expensive because of the time taken in lining, the furnace being unproductive during this period. It is an object of this invention to provide a method whereby the time taken for lining vessels is substantially reduced.

According to the invention, a method of lining a vessel with refractory blocks includes the steps of pre-assembling the blocks outside the vessel, to form an independent transportable unit in annular ring form, and of lowering the unit into position in the vessel.

' The pre-assembly may includethe circumferential binding of the blocks, by means of wire, or metal straps, which may be spot-welded, or otherwise secured.

The blocks may be provided with shanks projecting from the upper surfaces, whereby they may be suspended.

The invention extends also to apparatus for the relining of vessels, and which comprises a suspension frame having means for suspending it, and connecting means for connecting a plurality of refractory blocks pre-assembled into an annular ring, to the suspension frame.

The suspension frame may have a lower face against I which the blocks may be pulled up tight by nuts cooperating with the threaded shanks embedded in the blocks. The suspension frame may be provided with a plurality of spaced 'circumferentially extending slots, adapted to receive the shanks.

The apparatus may include further, a jacking ring having a plurality of inwardly projecting jack members adapted to press blocks inwardly towards their annular ring form, and to maintain them in position, While the blocks are being tightened against the suspension frame.

If desired, keying elements in the form of projections and mating recesses, may be provided along the sides of the blocks, so that they may engage and locate each other radially in position. Similarly, mating projections and recesses may be provided on the upper and lower surfaces of blocks, so that blocks in successive rings may engage circumferentially.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a number of blocks in assembled annular ring form;

FIGURE 2 shows a three-dimensional view of a number of blocks assembled into annular ring form, and secured to a suspension frame;

FIGURE 3 shows a detail cross-sectional side view of a block, secured to the suspension frame;

FIGURE 4 shows a part sectional side elevation through two blocks one on top of another;

FIGURE 5 shows a detail cross-sectional side view another arrangement of securing a block to the suspension frame;

FIGURE 6 shows a detail cross-sectional side view of yet another arrangement of securing a block to the suspension frame; and

United States Patent 0 Patented June 28, 1966 ice FIGURE 7 shows a part sectional side view of a frame having a working platform.

FIGURE 1 shows a number of blocks 10, assembled into annular ring form by means of a jacking ring 12 having jack bolts 14, spaced circumferentially around the ring, and co-operating with threaded bushes 15 fast with the ring, whereby the jack bolts may be arranged to press the blocks inwardly into annular ring position, and into mating engagement with each other. The blocks may have keying elements in the form of projections and recesses 17 along their sides. Each of the blocks has a pair of threaded shanks 16 whereby it may be suspended from the suspension frame 18 (see FIGURE 2 of the drawings).

The suspension frame comprises a pair of channels 20, arranged back-to-back in circular form, and defining arcuate slots 22 between them. (See FIGURE 3.) A face plate 24 is provided along their lower flanges, and also has arcuate slots. 1 The suspension frame has four lugs 26, having eyes 28 (see FIGURE 3), whereby it may be suspended from a crane. The suspension frame is stiffened internally by a pair of cross-members 30.

If desired, the blocks may be bound circumferentially by binding wire or straps 31. The blocks and suspension frame together form an independent transportable unit 33.

In use, once the blocks have been assembled into annular ring form, as shown in FIGURE 1, the suspension frame 18 is lowered over the threaded shanks 16, the shanks passing through the slots defined between the channels. Nuts are then tightened onto the threaded shanks 16, and the face plate 24 is drawn against the upper faces 25 of the blocks 10, thereby holding and locating them securely in the position against the suspension frame.

The blocks and suspension frame thereby define an in-' dependent transportable unit, and when the jack bolts 14 :have been loosened, the blocks and suspension frame may be lifted clear of the jacking ring 12, and raised to a position wherever required, and lowered into position for lining the vessel, which is to be lined.

When the blocks are in position in the vessel, the nuts are loosened, and the suspension frame withdrawn for lifting a further set of blocks, In the meantime, the shanks of the blocks inside the vessel are cut off by suitable means, such for example as an oxyacetylene torch.

Filler material in the form of a mortar, conveniently of the same material from which the blocks have been moulded is tamped into the clearance space between the blocks and the wall of the vessel being lined;

Referring to FIGURE 4, it will be noted that if upper blocks are provided with recesses 52 for receiving shanks 16 projecting beyond the upper surfaces 54 of lower blocks 56, then it will not be necessary to cut off the shanks.

upper surface 25 of the block. The frame 18 is the same as before except that threaded socket members 60 are provided for passing through the slots in the frame and for co-operating with the threaded shanks 16a.

Referring further to FIGURE 6, the shank 16b may comprise a threaded shank portion 160, and a threaded bush 16d, within which a bolt 62 is receivable.

FIGURE 7 shows the frame 18 having a working platform 70 connected to members 72 depending from the upper portion of the frame. If desired a trapdoor 74 may be provided through the platform so that workmen can pass through it.

' I claim:

1. A method of lining a vessel with refractory blocks having side faces, which includes the steps of pre-assembling the blocks in annular ring formation such that the side faces of adjacent blocks are in abutment, of providing a suspension frame over the pre-assernbled blocks, of conmeeting the blocks rigidly to the underside of the suspension frame, and of lowering the suspension frame and assembled blocks into position in the vessel.

2. A methodaccording to claim 1, including the steps of providing threaded shanks on the top faces of the blocks prior to assembling the blocks in annular ring formation, of providing a ring-like suspension frame having a series of circumferentially extending slots adapted to register with the threaded shanks on the blocks, and of connecting the blocks rigidly to the underside of the suspension frame by means of threaded elements co-operating with the threaded shanks embedded in the blocks.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,033,385 7/1912 Cook.

10/1913 Whipple.

9/1916 Jones 52 24s 3/1926 Aram 264-40 10/1927 Kinney 264-30 9/1929 Ross 26430 8/1930 Hilliard 264-422 FOREIGN PATENTS 10/1958 France.

5/ 1958 Great Britain.

15 ROBERT F. WHITE, Primary Examiner.

ALEXANDER H. BRODMERKEL, Examiner. R. B. MOFFITT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A METHOD OF LINING A VESSEL WITH REFRACTORY BLOCKS HAVING SIDE FACES, WHICH INCLUDES THE STEPS OF PRE-ASSEMBLING THE BLOCKS IN ANNULAR RING FORMATION SUCH THAT THE SIDE FACES OF ADJACENT BLOCKS ARE IN ABUTMENT, OF PROVIDING A SUSPENSION FRAME OVER THE PRE-ASSEMBLED BLOCKS, OF CONNECTING THE BLOCKS RIGIDLY TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE SUSPENSION FRAME, AND OF LOWERING THE SUSPENSION FRAME AND ASSEMBLED BLOCKS INTO POSITION IN THE VESSEL. 